The headlong magical adventure begun in The Alchemyst (2007) shifts from California to Paris.
There the gifted but untrained twins Josh and Sophie meet a further array of immortal friends and foes-"human, inhuman, and abhuman"-from history and legend, including but not limited to Joan of Arc, Niccolo Machiavelli, valkyries, the giant reptilian Nidhogg and all of the gargoyles and grotesques of Notre Dame brought to life.
Though Scott's efforts to blur the line between Bad Guys and Good seem occasionally labored (particularly Josh's stubborn suspicions about Flamel's motives in the face of continual evidence to the contrary), readers will be swept up by a plot that moves smartly along, leaving a wide trail of destruction and well-timed revelations.
Uncharacteristic in a middle volume, things are looking up at the end for the twins: Sophie has learned Fire Magic, Josh's powers are Awakened at last (though at an ominously unspecified price) and back in California Flamel's brilliant wife Pernelle has escaped imprisonment. Stay tuned. (Fantasy. 11-13) The Magician.
The Alchemyst (2007), the first book in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, introduced a wide-ranging group of historical figures who have achieved immortality and are engaged in a present-day struggle for the fate of the world.
This second entry picks up exactly where the first left off. Allied with the legendary Nicholas Flamel on the “good” side are teenage twins Sophie and Josh, who are supremely gifted but with powers that are untrained. Countering them is a new archvillain, Niccolò Machiavelli, who, along with other figures from history and legend (Joan of Arc, a trio of Valkyries), swells the already impressive cast.
Plundering every imaginable culture of their heroes and heroines is a clever feat, sure to draw all manner of historically and mythologically minded readers. One weakness starts to show through, however.
In a six-book series such as this, each installment begins to feel like a lengthy, glorified chapter rather than its own book complete with a satisfying story arc and resolution. That said, this keeps the pace as an exciting and impeccably thought-out fantasy, well suited for those left in the lurch by Harry Potter’s recent exeunt.
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews 2008.
Starred Review. Grade 6-9–Scott uses a gigantic canvas for this riveting fantasy. The well-worn theme of saving the world from the forces of evil gets a fresh look here as he incorporates ancient myth and legend and sets it firmly, pitch-perfect, in present-day California. At the emotional center of the tale are contemporary 15-year-old twins, Josh and Sophie, who, it turns out, are potentially powerful magicians. They are spoken of in a prophecy appearing in the ancient Book of Abraham the Mage, all but two pages of which have been stolen by evil John Dee, alchemist and magician. The pursuit of the twins and Flamel by Dee and his allies to get the missing pages constitutes the book's central plot.
Amid all this exhilarating action, Scott keeps his sights on the small details
of character and dialogue and provides evocative descriptions of people,
mythical beings, and places. He uses as his starting point the figures of
the historical alchemist Nicholas Flamel and his wife, who have found the
secret of immortality, along with mythical beings, including the terrifying
Scottish crow-goddess, the Morrigan; the three-faced Greek Hekate; the powerful
Egyptian cat-goddess, Bastet; and Scathach, a legendary Irish woman warrior
and vegetarian vampire. While there is plenty here to send readers rushing
to their encyclopedias of mythology and alchemy, those who read the book
at face value will simply be caught up in the enthralling story. A fabulous
read.–Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City
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Sophie and Josh are spending the summer in San Francisco while their archaeologist parents are off on a dig. Sophie is working in a coffee shop and Josh has a job in the bookshop opposite. Things are jogging along nicely. Until, that is, Dr John Dee and his mud-man golems appear and steal a book from Nick Fleming, Josh's employer. Nick, it appears, has been hiding his true identity. He is none other than the fourteenth century alchemist Nicholas Flamel, the man who discovered the secret of turning base metal into gold and the recipe for the elixir of eternal life. The book stolen by Dr John Dee is none other than the Book of Abraham, the Codex which contains all the alchemist's secrets and more besides. Josh and Sophie's presence is no accident either - they are the twins of ancient prophecy with magical auras of pure silver and gold. If anyone can prevent Dr John Dee from summoning the Dark Elders to destroy mankind, it is them. And so, the race is on.
I enjoyed The Alchemyst. It's well-written and buys into the current fad for mixing ancient prophecies and renaissance secrets into modern-day thrillers without cheapening the output at all - as so many of the adult books are doing. The rather shadowy historical figure of John Dee works extremely well as a twenty first century Bond-style villain and the ancient alchemist, Nicholas Flamel, really comes to life as one of the goodies. I think this "casting" was inspired. The twins have an interesting relationship that's very close and loyal outwardly but is beset by very recognisable stresses and jealousies internally. Children's books so often capture these kinds of relationships so much better than their adult counterparts and The Alchemyst is a great example of this. The whole thing is also awesomely researched.
My son, who grabbed The Alchemyst almost before I'd got it out of the packaging and read it over just two evenings, is raving about it. He loves the stories of myth and legend and he loved Scott's conceit that the deities and heroes from all the various traditions are all part of one - true! - past that has faded from our minds except in stories. He's even discovered a few new sources of myth to investigate and I think we might well be investing in some of Scott's books on Irish mythology very soon. He doesn't quite believe in the auric energy device, but he sure as cookies wishes it were true.
However enthusiastic my son is, though, he is also an absolute geek. He likes books that contain references he can either recognise or follow up on later. He likes series. He likes detail. He loves a cliffhanger and the excited wait for the next book. I think that reluctant readers might not be quite so keen. There's an awful lot going on in The Alchemyst, and much of it is setting up the reader for subsequent volumes in the series. This will appeal less to children who find reading an effort. It's a well-written, delightful story with some great characters and a lot of magic, but is probably best suited to enthusiastic fans of fantasy. And for them, it's an absolutely marvellous piece of blockbusting aura power.
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Book 2 Can't Come Soon Enough, May 28, 2007
By K. Babbes ( USA)
My 16 year old daughter Grace burst into my den when she finished the Alchemyst and insisted that I read the book, "...immediately, mom. You won't be able to put it down." Grace doesn't read books - she devours them. She has often said that every book has boring passages. But the Alchemyst, she soon showed me - has none. We anticipate the release of book two even more than the next Harry Potter.
Fantastic!, May 28, 2007
By A. Goyan ( Burbank, CA United States)
What a great read--I couldn't put it down. As soon as I'd finished my step-son began. Mr. Scott's imagination is boundless. I am grateful that through a fantastic page turner my step-children can be introduced to a wide range of historical and mythological characters. Leaves you on the edge of your seat. When will a sequel be available?
soooooo excellent, May 27, 2007
By Zan ( New Hampshire)
My 13 year old son and I were both hooked by the bottom of page one. And since then, we have been racing through the book-- devouring chapters. With fascinating characters and a truly compelling story, it has been a wonderful world to enter. Michael Scott is clearly a brilliant and thoughtful writer. My son and I both agree-- there better be some sequels in the pipeline!
What an imagination!, May 27, 2007
By A. Safier "Loving Livres" ( Los Angeles)
I have only read two books in an entire sitting in my life. Make that three. "The Alchemyst" is absolutely enchanting. This is a book for adults as well as kids. Michael Scott must have the greatest imagination of any living author. You are really going to love this one!
When's the next one coming out?, May 22, 2007
By A. Bryant ( Brooklyn, NY)
I devoured this book in a day! Extremely well written, and an excellent story. I can't wait for the next one.
Fun, Fun, Fun., May 22, 2007
By lgcbuilder (MIdwest USA)
This book is the most fun read I've had in a long time. It's geared for the young adult, but no matter, it's even fun for old adults. The plot and the characters will grab you by the neck and not let go until the end, which leaves you gasping for more. I read it in one sitting, just because I couldn't stop. Mr Scott's interweaving of multiple mythologies is amazing. I've been reading fantasy/SF for over 30yrs, and still had to look up a couple of characters. The use of actual historical characters is brilliant, and opens up a huge context for the future.
Darker, stronger, perfect for the graduate of the Potter books. Takes it to the next level in fantasy. Highly recommended for everyone.
I want the sequel now. I wanted the sequel right after I finished.
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SUCH A GREAT BOOK!!!!!!, May 28, 2007
I love reading a good book and that is what "The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel" is!!!!
I couldn't put the darn thing down and I'm now officially the biggest Michael Scott fan. I just loved, loved, loved this fantastic book!!!
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